In brief scene 3, consisting of one soliloquy, Edgar transforms himself into mad Tom o’Bedlam. Examine his language closely. What else does he “put on” besides rags? Why this disguise? Note that a storm or tempest is brewing on the barren heath. How does the weather mirror the action in the human realm?

Please type your responses below:

a storm

Explanation:

Edgar transformed himself into O’Bedlam, and put on rags to encase the humiliation and madness, which is what King Lear is supposed to experience. He puts on “nothing” (basically naked), meaning that there is nothing that resembles Edgar in this disguise, even though its Edgar’s body. The word “nothing” that is echoed throughout the play, reminds the audience of how fast the characters can change, in physical appearance and emotional/mental thought. Bedlam beggars often put knives or sharp objects in their bodies to obtain attention from people walking by.

The weather encapsulates the power of nature, which inturn makes the king realise his mortality and the frailness of human beings. Being powerless himself, he starts to feel humility, and comes under reason after aaction irrational by cursing the storm. The storm may reflect the state of humans as confusing and unpredictable, but the realm that the humans live in (as controlled by nature) as justice. It symbolizes the inside of Lear’s head as well, considering his madness and constant confusion. In essence, the storm mirrors King Lear’s maddening thoughts, the unpredictability of the human race, and the angry justice of the divine nature in the play.

i would lay on the ground, and wait for the earth to simply take me back!

- sincerely, ouma